It is no secret that we are a homeschooling family. As a result, our back to school will look a little bit different from what most people are used to. First of all, we homeschool year round and second of all we don’t need to worry about a back to school teacher’s gift or back to school outfits. Today I will share with you 4 things that we did to prepare my daughter for kindergarten.
Back to School Tip #1: Picture Day
Little kids are busy and never sit still when you want them to however we were able to get some pictures done granted C cried through the entire session so I will not be sharing his. What can I say, my son is a little diva. J however smiled and did her silly faces in true J-like style.
Our photoshoot plan was pretty simple: I asked them to hold up a blank surface and then edited it to place what grades they will be going in. Instead, I came up with this:
Back to School Tip #2: Talk About It
J hates surprises and loves to be eased into things. I have previously made mistakes of not telling her that she had family coming to visit and she sat and stared at them for over an hour- I decided to do all changes smoothly from then on.
Every day for about 2 weeks I would remind her and say, “You are growing up! Did you know that you start kindergarten soon?” This clearly worked as everyone J comes into contact with now knows she is in kindergarten and she is so excited about it.
Back to School Tip #3: Special Breakfast
On the 6th of July (the night before our first day) I asked J what she wanted for her special breakfast. Her response was hotdogs and so she got hotdogs for breakfast. I am not sure who was more surprised- her because she got what she requested or me because I gave her what she requested.
Back to School Tip #4: Choose School Supplies Together
My daughter is a stationery junkie just like her mommy. When the chance came for her to choose what binders, crayons etc. she wanted she was so excited and I was so thankful that I was experiencing this with her. If you want a peak at our list, trust me its not all pens and pencils, then simply click OUR BACK TO HOMESCHOOL CHECK LIST.
How do you prepare for back to school even if you don’t homeschool? Don’t forget to check out what the other members of the #teachECE team has for you.
- Back to School Tips for Parents PLUS Visual Morning Chart! by The Preschool Toolbox Blog
- Starting Kindergarten-Books and Activities by Capri + 3
- Back to School: Starting Routines by Tiny Tots Adventures
- Make Back to School Books to Ease the Transition by Fun-A-Day
- Preparing for Preschool: Creative Center in a Box by Powerful Mothering
- How to Plan for Preschool at Home by Mom Inspired Life
- Supporting Preschool Learning at Home by Rainy Day Mum
- How to use Preschool Busy Boxes by Munchkins and Moms
- Prepare a Hands-On Preschool at Home by Life Over C’s
- Setting Literacy Goals by Growing Book by Book
- Traditional Preschool or Homeschool Preschool or Both? by Still Playing School
- Teaching Preschool at Home by Raising Lifelong Learners
- Preparing for School Brings Emotions for Both Parents and Children by The Educator’s Spin On It
I always forget the “special breakfast thing!” We usually end up doing it on the Friday to celebrate the week!
I love the idea of offering a special breakfast! Hot dogs sure are an interesting choice! 😉
Great ideas! I love how you let her help choose the school supplies! A great way to help her take ownership.
The special breakfast is such a sweet idea!
Great tips! I make a special breakfast too!
What do you guys make Danielle?
I love the idea of having a special breakfast that can be anything the children choose. In our case we’d need to plan for that 4 days in advance so they would all get a turn!
You should totally do that Theresa.
Love the special breakfast idea – as for the first time I have both kids going to school I will take on this and we’ll do it in September.
Just prepare yourself for what they might ask for Cerys 😉
The picture tip is perfect for capturing memories. Love the breakfast idea too!
That is a great idea for the pics! and we do so love the supply store!!
I have not done a back to school breakfast, but we do a back to school special lunch. I’m going to try the breakfast cause that’s a great way to start your day. I like the picture idea, a great way to capture the before and after look if you take a picture at the end of the year.
I, too, LOVE the special breakfast idea! What a fun way to prepare for a special day! Great tips for getting kids off to school. Thank you!
Another homeschooling family here — our special breakfast is a trip to Dunkin Donuts on the neighborhood’s first day back. 😉 Gotta have fun where you can.